Home > Articles > Microsoft > MCSE

Exam Objectives

Exam Objectives

The exam objectives are broken up into five different categories. The 70-467 exam measures your ability to accomplish the technical tasks listed below.

The percentages indicate the relative weight of each major topic area on the exam. The higher the percentage, the more questions you are likely to see on that content area on the exam.

The objectives for Exam 70-467 as stated by Microsoft are as follows:

Plan Business Intelligence (BI) Infrastructure (15%)

  • Plan for performance.

    • This objective may include but is not limited to: optimize batch procedures: extract, transform, load (ETL) in SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS)/SQL and processing phase in Analysis Services; configure Proactive Caching within SQL Server Analysis Services (SSAS) for different scenarios; understand performance consequences of Unified Dimension Model (UDM) and data warehouse (DWH) design; analyze and optimize performances of Multidimensional Expression (MDX) and Data Analysis Expression (DAX) queries; optimize queries for huge data sets; understand the difference between partitioning for load performance vs. query performance in SSAS; appropriately index a fact table; optimize Analysis Services cubes in UDM; create aggregations using Usage-Based Optimizations

  • Plan for scalability.

    • This objective may include but is not limited to: Multidimensional OLAP (MOLAP); Relational OLAP (ROLAP); Hybrid OLAP (HOLAP)

  • Plan and manage upgrades.

    • This objective may include but is not limited to: plan change management for a BI solution

  • Maintain server health.

    • This objective may include but is not limited to: design an automation strategy

Design BI Infrastructure (16%)

  • Design a security strategy.

    • This objective may include but is not limited to: configure security and impersonation between database, analysis services, and front end; implement Dynamic Dimension Security within a cube; configure security for an extranet environment; configure Kerberos security; plan and build secure solutions end to end; design security roles for calculated measures; understand the tradeoffs between regular SSAS security and dynamic security; plan and implement security requirements of a BI solution

  • Design a SQL partitioning strategy.

    • This objective may include but is not limited to: choose a partitioning strategy for the data warehouse and cube; implement a parallel load to fact tables by using partition switching; use data compression in fact tables

  • Design a backup strategy.

    • This objective may include but is not limited to: design a high availability (HA) and disaster recovery strategy

  • Design a logging and auditing strategy.

    • This objective may include but is not limited to: design a new SSIS logging infrastructure (for example, information available through the catalog views); validate that data is balancing and reconciling correctly

Design a Reporting Solution (24%)

  • Design a Reporting Services dataset.

    • This objective may include but is not limited to: data query parameters; creating appropriate SQL queries for an application (MDX queries); managing data rights and security; extracting data from Analysis Services; balancing query-based processing vs. filter-based processing; managing data sets through the use of stored procedures

  • Manage Microsoft Excel Services/Reporting for SharePoint.

    • This objective may include but is not limited to: configure data refresh schedules for PowerPivot published to SharePoint; publish BI information to SharePoint; use SharePoint to accomplish BI administrative tasks

  • Design a data acquisition strategy.

    • This objective may include but is not limited to: identify the data sources that need to be used to pull in the data; determine the changes (incremental data) in the data source (time window); identify the relationship and dependencies between the data sources; determine who can access which data; which data can be retained for how long (regulatory compliance, data archiving, aging); design a data movement strategy; profile source data

  • Plan and manage reporting services configuration.

    • This objective may include but is not limited to: native mode

  • Design BI reporting solution architecture.

    • This objective may include but is not limited to: linked reports, drill-down reports, drill-through reports, migration strategies, access report services API, sub-reports, code-behind strategies; identify when to use Reporting Services, Report Builder, or Crescent; design and implement context transfer when interlinking all types of reports (Reporting Services, Report Builder, Crescent, Excel, PowerPivot); implement BI tools for reporting in SharePoint (Excel Services vs. Performance Point vs. Reporting Services); select a subscription strategy

Design BI Data Models (34%)

  • Design the data warehouse.

    • This objective may include but is not limited to: design a data model that is optimized for reporting; design and build a cube on top; design enterprise data warehouse (EDW) and OLAP cubes; choose between natural keys and surrogate keys when designing the data warehouse; use the facilities available in SQL Server to design, implement, and maintain a data warehouse including: partitioning, slowly changing dimensions (SCD), change data capture (CDC), and Clustered Index Views; implement a many-to-many relationship in an OLAP cube; design a data mart/warehouse in reverse from an Analysis Services cube; use rowstamp in the data warehouse; choose between performing aggregation operations in the SSIS pipeline or the relational engine; select surround architecture

  • Design a schema.

    • This objective may include but is not limited to: multidimensional modeling starting from a star schema; relational modeling for a data mart; choose or create a topology

  • Design cube architecture.

    • This objective may include but is not limited to: produce efficient aggregated cubes; partition cubes and build aggregation strategies for the separate partitions; design a data model; choose a partitioning strategy for the data warehouse and cube; design the data file layout for a data warehouse for maximum performance; given a requirement, identify the aggregation method that should be selected for a measure in a MOLAP cube; design cube aggregations to maintain a balance between storage and performance; performance tune a MOLAP cube using aggregations; design a data source view; cube drill-through and write-back actions

  • Design fact tables.

    • This objective may include but is not limited to: design a data warehouse that supports many-to-many dimensions with factless fact tables

  • Design BI semantic models.

    • This objective may include but is not limited to: plan for a multidimensional cube; write a UDM model with many-to-many relationships; choose between UDM and BISM depending on the type of data and workload

  • Design and create MDX calculations.

    • This objective may include but is not limited to: MDX authoring; identify the structures of MDX and the common functions (including tuples, sets, topcount, and SCOPE); identify which MDX statement would return the required result; implement a custom MDX or logical solution for a pre-prepared case task

Design an ETL Solution (11%)

  • Design SSIS package execution.

    • This objective may include but is not limited to: use the new project deployment model; pass values at execution time; share parameters between packages

  • Plan to deploy SSIS solutions.

    • This objective may include but is not limited to: deploy the package to another server with different security requirements; secure Integration Services packages that are deployed at the file system; understand how SSIS packages/projects interact with environments; choose between performing aggregation operations in the SSIS pipeline or the relational engine

  • Design package configurations for SSIS packages.

    • This objective may include but is not limited to: avoid repeating Configuration Information entered in SSIS packages; use configuration files

Pearson IT Certification Promotional Mailings & Special Offers

I would like to receive exclusive offers and hear about products from Pearson IT Certification and its family of brands. I can unsubscribe at any time.

Overview


Pearson Education, Inc., 221 River Street, Hoboken, New Jersey 07030, (Pearson) presents this site to provide information about Pearson IT Certification products and services that can be purchased through this site.

This privacy notice provides an overview of our commitment to privacy and describes how we collect, protect, use and share personal information collected through this site. Please note that other Pearson websites and online products and services have their own separate privacy policies.

Collection and Use of Information


To conduct business and deliver products and services, Pearson collects and uses personal information in several ways in connection with this site, including:

Questions and Inquiries

For inquiries and questions, we collect the inquiry or question, together with name, contact details (email address, phone number and mailing address) and any other additional information voluntarily submitted to us through a Contact Us form or an email. We use this information to address the inquiry and respond to the question.

Online Store

For orders and purchases placed through our online store on this site, we collect order details, name, institution name and address (if applicable), email address, phone number, shipping and billing addresses, credit/debit card information, shipping options and any instructions. We use this information to complete transactions, fulfill orders, communicate with individuals placing orders or visiting the online store, and for related purposes.

Surveys

Pearson may offer opportunities to provide feedback or participate in surveys, including surveys evaluating Pearson products, services or sites. Participation is voluntary. Pearson collects information requested in the survey questions and uses the information to evaluate, support, maintain and improve products, services or sites; develop new products and services; conduct educational research; and for other purposes specified in the survey.

Contests and Drawings

Occasionally, we may sponsor a contest or drawing. Participation is optional. Pearson collects name, contact information and other information specified on the entry form for the contest or drawing to conduct the contest or drawing. Pearson may collect additional personal information from the winners of a contest or drawing in order to award the prize and for tax reporting purposes, as required by law.

Newsletters

If you have elected to receive email newsletters or promotional mailings and special offers but want to unsubscribe, simply email information@informit.com.

Service Announcements

On rare occasions it is necessary to send out a strictly service related announcement. For instance, if our service is temporarily suspended for maintenance we might send users an email. Generally, users may not opt-out of these communications, though they can deactivate their account information. However, these communications are not promotional in nature.

Customer Service

We communicate with users on a regular basis to provide requested services and in regard to issues relating to their account we reply via email or phone in accordance with the users' wishes when a user submits their information through our Contact Us form.

Other Collection and Use of Information


Application and System Logs

Pearson automatically collects log data to help ensure the delivery, availability and security of this site. Log data may include technical information about how a user or visitor connected to this site, such as browser type, type of computer/device, operating system, internet service provider and IP address. We use this information for support purposes and to monitor the health of the site, identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents and appropriately scale computing resources.

Web Analytics

Pearson may use third party web trend analytical services, including Google Analytics, to collect visitor information, such as IP addresses, browser types, referring pages, pages visited and time spent on a particular site. While these analytical services collect and report information on an anonymous basis, they may use cookies to gather web trend information. The information gathered may enable Pearson (but not the third party web trend services) to link information with application and system log data. Pearson uses this information for system administration and to identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents, appropriately scale computing resources and otherwise support and deliver this site and its services.

Cookies and Related Technologies

This site uses cookies and similar technologies to personalize content, measure traffic patterns, control security, track use and access of information on this site, and provide interest-based messages and advertising. Users can manage and block the use of cookies through their browser. Disabling or blocking certain cookies may limit the functionality of this site.

Do Not Track

This site currently does not respond to Do Not Track signals.

Security


Pearson uses appropriate physical, administrative and technical security measures to protect personal information from unauthorized access, use and disclosure.

Children


This site is not directed to children under the age of 13.

Marketing


Pearson may send or direct marketing communications to users, provided that

  • Pearson will not use personal information collected or processed as a K-12 school service provider for the purpose of directed or targeted advertising.
  • Such marketing is consistent with applicable law and Pearson's legal obligations.
  • Pearson will not knowingly direct or send marketing communications to an individual who has expressed a preference not to receive marketing.
  • Where required by applicable law, express or implied consent to marketing exists and has not been withdrawn.

Pearson may provide personal information to a third party service provider on a restricted basis to provide marketing solely on behalf of Pearson or an affiliate or customer for whom Pearson is a service provider. Marketing preferences may be changed at any time.

Correcting/Updating Personal Information


If a user's personally identifiable information changes (such as your postal address or email address), we provide a way to correct or update that user's personal data provided to us. This can be done on the Account page. If a user no longer desires our service and desires to delete his or her account, please contact us at customer-service@informit.com and we will process the deletion of a user's account.

Choice/Opt-out


Users can always make an informed choice as to whether they should proceed with certain services offered by Adobe Press. If you choose to remove yourself from our mailing list(s) simply visit the following page and uncheck any communication you no longer want to receive: www.pearsonitcertification.com/u.aspx.

Sale of Personal Information


Pearson does not rent or sell personal information in exchange for any payment of money.

While Pearson does not sell personal information, as defined in Nevada law, Nevada residents may email a request for no sale of their personal information to NevadaDesignatedRequest@pearson.com.

Supplemental Privacy Statement for California Residents


California residents should read our Supplemental privacy statement for California residents in conjunction with this Privacy Notice. The Supplemental privacy statement for California residents explains Pearson's commitment to comply with California law and applies to personal information of California residents collected in connection with this site and the Services.

Sharing and Disclosure


Pearson may disclose personal information, as follows:

  • As required by law.
  • With the consent of the individual (or their parent, if the individual is a minor)
  • In response to a subpoena, court order or legal process, to the extent permitted or required by law
  • To protect the security and safety of individuals, data, assets and systems, consistent with applicable law
  • In connection the sale, joint venture or other transfer of some or all of its company or assets, subject to the provisions of this Privacy Notice
  • To investigate or address actual or suspected fraud or other illegal activities
  • To exercise its legal rights, including enforcement of the Terms of Use for this site or another contract
  • To affiliated Pearson companies and other companies and organizations who perform work for Pearson and are obligated to protect the privacy of personal information consistent with this Privacy Notice
  • To a school, organization, company or government agency, where Pearson collects or processes the personal information in a school setting or on behalf of such organization, company or government agency.

Links


This web site contains links to other sites. Please be aware that we are not responsible for the privacy practices of such other sites. We encourage our users to be aware when they leave our site and to read the privacy statements of each and every web site that collects Personal Information. This privacy statement applies solely to information collected by this web site.

Requests and Contact


Please contact us about this Privacy Notice or if you have any requests or questions relating to the privacy of your personal information.

Changes to this Privacy Notice


We may revise this Privacy Notice through an updated posting. We will identify the effective date of the revision in the posting. Often, updates are made to provide greater clarity or to comply with changes in regulatory requirements. If the updates involve material changes to the collection, protection, use or disclosure of Personal Information, Pearson will provide notice of the change through a conspicuous notice on this site or other appropriate way. Continued use of the site after the effective date of a posted revision evidences acceptance. Please contact us if you have questions or concerns about the Privacy Notice or any objection to any revisions.

Last Update: November 17, 2020